Sarcoidosis Illuminations on Living During COVID-19: Patient Experiences of Diagnosis, Management, and Survival Before and During the Pandemic.

Background: Inspired by intense challenges encountered by patients and clinicians, we examined the experiences of living with sarcoidosis in three of the hardest impacted English-speaking cities during the early COVID-19 pandemic: London, New Orleans, and New York. Methods: A multi-disciplinary, multi-national research team including 6 patient leaders conducted qualitative investigations with analyses rooted in grounded theory. Recruitment occurred by self-referral through patient advocacy groups. Results: A total of 28 people living with sarcoidosis participated. The majority of patients had multi-system and severe sarcoidosis. Dominant themes were consistent across groups with differences expressed in spirituality and government and health systems. Racial, gender, and able-bodied inequity were voiced regarding healthcare access and intervention, societal interactions, and COVID-19 exposure and contraction. Agreement regarding extreme disruption in care and communication created concern for disability and survival. Concerns of COVID-19 exposure triggering new sarcoidosis cases or exacerbating established sarcoidosis were expressed. Pre-COVID-19 impediments in sarcoidosis healthcare delivery, medical knowledge, and societal burdens were intensified during the pandemic. Conversely, living with sarcoidosis cultivated personal and operational preparedness for navigating the practicalities and uncertainties of the pandemic. Optimism prevailed that knowledge of sarcoidosis, respiratory, and multi-organ diseases could provide pathways for COVID-19-related therapy and support; however, remorse was expressed regarding pandemic circumstances to draw long-awaited attention to multi-organ system and respiratory conditions. Conclusion: Participants expressed concepts warranting infrastructural and scientific attention. This framework reflects pre- and intra-pandemic voiced needs in sarcoidosis and may be an agent of sensitization and strategy for other serious health conditions. A global query into sarcoidosis will be undertaken.

Fortuitous detection of pseudoaneurysm by three-phase bone scan.

We report the diagnosis of an unsuspected pseudoaneurysm in the lower extremity when 3-phase bone scan was used to evaluate a presumed malignancy. We confirmed the diagnosis with duplex ultrasonography and angiography. Although the primary diagnostic modality for detection of pseudoaneurysm remains duplex sonography, the nuclear medicine practitioner should be vigilant for characteristic presentation of a pseudoaneurysm on a 3-phase bone scan, an area of increased radiotracer activity on blood-flow and blood-pool images that becomes a photopenic area on delayed images. This also underscores the need to consider benign vascular lesions in the differential diagnosis of abnormal 3-phase bone scans for presumed tumors.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors: technique, limitations, and morbidity.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate our evolving experience with percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) renal tumor ablation and focus on our technique to ensure maximal treatment efficacy and reduce the possibility of complications. METHODS: Fifteen patients with small (less than 4 cm) posterior or lateral contrast-enhancing (more than 10 Hounsfield units) renal tumors were candidates for RF treatment. Of these patients, 12 (13 tumors) received computed tomography-guided percutaneous RF ablation. General anesthesia was administered in all but our first 2 patients, who received intravenous sedation. After treatment, patients were closely followed up with computed tomography scans at 6 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months, and every 6 months thereafter. Successful ablation was defined as a lesion along with a margin of normal parenchyma that no longer enhanced (less than 10 Hounsfield units) on follow-up contrast imaging. RESULTS: The mean tumor size was 2.4 +/- 0.6 cm. The average procedure time was 95 minutes (range 60 to 150) and length of stay 0.9 days. All patients underwent the procedure without any major complications. At a mean follow-up of 4.9 months, 12 (93%) of 13 tumors were successfully ablated. In 3 patients, the procedure was not performed because of intervening bowel or lung parenchyma when positioned in the prone position before the procedure. Computed tomography-guided percutaneous RF ablation of small renal tumors is a viable minimally invasive treatment option with a high short-term success rate and low morbidity. This new technology must be uniformly applied to assess its long-term efficacy.